Q. It would be interesting to see how the government can justify spending $47 million to build 71 homes. Who got the bid? How did they bid it or was it a no bid contract? I think the taxpayers need an explanation. -- Bill

A. We contacted the public information office at the Rock Island Arsenal. We were referred to the Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Catherine F. Duncan, public affairs assistant, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responded:

"The contractors for the two housing projects at Rock Island Arsenal are, respectively, Debcon Construction and Atherton Incorporated. The FY15 project was awarded at $23,045,000 and the acquisition was small business, low price technically acceptable. The FY16 project was awarded at $23,347,009 and the acquisition was via a small business best value / low price technically acceptable hybrid. The projects include the construction of 71 homes for commissioned and non-commissioned officers and their families. In addition to the residences, the projects also required significant utility construction including sewer, water, electrical and communication."

We also requested an itemized list of estimates for the bid for more detailed information. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, has not responded at the time of publication.

A. Brady Street and Harrison Street became one-way streets on Thursday, Feb. 8, 1973, according to a news story published in the Times-Democrat on the same day titled "Conversion Woes Minor."

"A few minor traffic accidents and some confusion over unfamiliar signals and signs marked the opening of Davenport's north-south one-way system on Brady and Harrison streets today, but authorities said the overall conversion was going smoothly," the story read.

"City crews began uncovering "one way signs" and switching stoplights shortly after midnight and finished the job in time for the morning rush hour," Police Chief Charles Wright said.

Wright reported two non-injury auto collisions, one at Lombard and Main streets and one at Harrison and Lombard streets, but he said neither could be directly attributed to the one-way conversion.

"Brady Street will be one-way northbound and Harrison one-way southbound between River Drive and Lombard Street. Lombard Street is one-way westbound between Brady and Harrison. The system was approved by the city council as a 90-day trial to begin today," the story read.

Wright said most motorists who have accidentally gone the wrong against the new flow of traffic have noticed their error within "a block or so" and have turned around. He said police will not be issuing summonses for a few days until after the public becomes familiar with the new pattern.

Mayor Kathryn Kirschbaum said she was pleased with the first hours of operation of the new system.